Traveling from Bloomfield to Des Moines covers a distance of 108.6 miles, making it an ideal day trip for those looking to traverse the Iowa landscape. You can expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes of driving time. Because the route relies on local roads like North Washington Street and Weaver Road rather than major interstates, you should budget about $16 for fuel. This path is perfect for a quick getaway, as it doesn't require an overnight stay to reach your destination. Both the origin and destination are located within the Midwest, keeping the drive consistent with the region's character.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.2 miles from Bloomfield, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 63
81.4 mi
1h 39m
Weaver Road
17.4 mi
19m
Old US Highway 63
4.8 mi
6m
US 63 Business
1.8 mi
2m
South Wapello Street
0.7 mi
<1m
North Washington Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East Jefferson Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
East University Avenue
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 63
— 81.4 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomfield, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on East Jefferson Street
341 ft·12 sec·East Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto US 63
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Washington Street
3
Continue on US 63
17 mi·19 min·Weaver Road
4
Enter roundabout onto US 63 Business
172 ft·2 sec·US 63 Business
5
Continue on US 63 Business
1.4 mi·1 min·US 63 Business
6
Turn right onto US 63 Business; IA 149
0.7 mi·52 sec·South Wapello Street
7
Continue on US 63 Business; IA 149
4.8 mi·6 min·Old US Highway 63
8
Turn left onto US 63 Business
0.3 mi·42 sec·US 63 Business
9
Merge onto US 63; IA 163
81 mi·1 hr 39 min·US 63; IA 163
10
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 1-hour and 50-minute trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. With no planned stops required for the 108.6-mile distance, you can easily complete the drive in a single stretch. Keep in mind that because this route utilizes local roads, your travel time may be affected by local traffic patterns more than a typical highway route would be. Make sure your fuel tank is ready for the $16 estimated cost before you leave Bloomfield. Because the route is turn-heavy, prioritize keeping your GPS active to ensure you stay on course while navigating the transition between North Washington Street and Weaver Road.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.2 miles from Bloomfield, IA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 23 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.2 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bloomfield, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bloomfield, IA
This is one driving day of about 106.4 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Bloomfield, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 63 for about 81.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 25 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 63 / North Washington Street
Turn left onto US 63 / North Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
17.7 mi into trip|~20m in|US 63 Business
Enter roundabout onto US 63 Business
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
19.1 mi into trip|~21m in|US 63 Business; IA 149 / South Wapello Street
Turn right onto US 63 Business; IA 149 / South Wapello Street
Navigation decision point
3
24.7 mi into trip|~28m in|US 63 Business
Turn left onto US 63 Business
Navigation decision point
3
25 mi into trip|~29m in|US 63; IA 163
Merge onto US 63; IA 163
Merge point - match speed before joining
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.63 one way
$33.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.26
$36.53
premium
$4.89
$20.48
$40.95
diesel
$5.61
$23.49
$46.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.9
0
$11.17
$5.11
Efficient EV
26.6
0
$9.31
$4.26
EV Truck/SUV
42.6
0
$14.90
$6.81
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Bloomfield, IA
Late night
in Bloomfield on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Late night
in Des Moines on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero percent highway share, meaning you will navigate through local roads for the entire 108.6-mile duration. There is no significant longest stretch of straight road, as you will be frequently adjusting your path along North Washington Street and Weaver Road. The experience feels much more hands-on and technical than a standard highway cruise. Be prepared for a winding, engaging drive that requires you to stay alert and active throughout the journey.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.4 mi on US 63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 63 and Weaver Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 63 / North Washington Street.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bloomfield, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 8m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 63 / North Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.7 miles (US 63 Business): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.1 miles (US 63 Business; IA 149 / South Wapello Street): Navigation decision point.
Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair and numerous cultural festivals during warm weather months. History enthusiasts will find 110 historic sites in and around the city as part of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The city appeals to travelers with an interest in the arts who marvel at the architecture of the State Capitol with its five domes, including the large main dome with its gleaming 23-karat gold surface. The city has a good art museum, a symphony that performs in the downtown Civic Center (along with opera, ballet, and other performing arts), and a big annual arts festival that draws visitors from across Iowa and beyond.
Top landmarks
•Iowa State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Iowa
•St. Ambrose Cathedral — church in Iowa, United States
•Des Moines Art Center — art museum in Des Moines, Iowa
The longest stretch is about 81.4 miles on US 63. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 63 / North Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.7 miles (US 63 Business): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.1 miles (US 63 Business; IA 149 / South Wapello Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Des Moines, IA before heading back.
